VHS to DVD

[mmitsch]

I want to get my old VHS movies to DVD for archival purposes. Is there an easy and reliable way to get the analog tapes to digital? Let me know. A card for the PC, etc? What type of authoring software is recommended?

Thanks!

Mike

[Capt F]

Bought a JVC, DR-MV1S, dvd video recorder and video cassette recorder. $400 from Best Buy, good Consumer Report rating.

I have a lot of my children’s sports events and other personnel
VHS Tapes.

The JVC unit will reproduce to DVD the same quality of video as on the VHS tape. It also can dub TV programs to DVD RW. Will work with DVD RAM which had some great playback features.

It is also a DVD player. The transferring of VHS Tapes is time consuming and the JVC unit frees up my PC.

Hope this helped you.

[mmitsch]

JVC Response

Did you mean you are able to plug a VCR into this JVC camera anc copy your VHS tapes to it? Let me know. Sounds like a great solution!

Mike

[Capt F]

No, the unit will play DVDs and VHS media. it will also copy the VHS tape to DVD.

I have removed my DVD and VHS players from this location and now use this JVC unit. Along with my cable box and TV.

During time that I am not using the unit/site for other viewing I will transfer a VHS tape (6hrs of recording) to DVD.

This JVC unit is seperatew from any Camcorder or other recirding and playing unit.

I think it is great for what it does.

[Capt F]

The only negetives are it costs $400, and it is DVD-R recording.

My PC burner is DVD+R, so I had to get more DVD media.

A DVD+ and DVD- costs over $800

[mmitsch]

Understand now (I went to the JVC site and checked the unit out). It looks great! Will it copy protected vhs tapes to dvd?

[Capt F]

I haven't dubbed a lot of VHS tapes that have any type of scrambling. So presently I can't answer that.

The quality of an original DVD is better then a VHS so that is something to consider. Every time a VHS is played it looses quality.

I have one that I know has some type of protection that has a “Kink” in the tape from being caught in the old VHS player. I will give it a try and let you know of the outcome. I will try it later this week and give you a report.

Don’t know how the laws are on doing that. I own the purchased and damaged VHS tape, and I am archiving on to another type of media for my own use?

[sfheath]

If you want to consider alternatives, eg using your computer for editing, compiling and titling, try a search on "vhs". There are numerous posts reviewing internal cards or USB external units that employ existing VCR's

[Capt F]

mmitsch, sad to report but the JVC unit will not DUB protected VHS tapes. The JVC unit just displays a protected will not copy.

There might be some earlier VHS tapes that can be dubed but not the ones I tried.

I still like the JVC unit because I use it to copy previous family sports to DVD and the camcorder also some vintage movies I copied to VHS from the TV. also any new TV/Cable programs
It is a time consuming process so I don't like tying up my PC with this project.

sfheath has posted info on using your computer for working with vhs.